Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar heads into the F1 Bahrain GP weekend with a confidence boost, having scored his first points in the previous round in Japan.
Starting from seventh position, he managed the race brilliantly, finishing a strong eighth.
After a difficult start to the season, the great result in Suzuka shows great promise for future success.
In the Thursday print media session ahead of the Bahrain GP, Hadjar reckons that there is still work to do.
Hadjar is pressuring himself to continue to deliver
The Racing Bull driver is pressuring himself to continue to deliver in the races ahead, knowing that outside expectations are possibly growing after the most recent results.
“Yeah, but it’s not like I don’t need to work anymore, you know.
“Still, I always put the pressure on me to keep delivering.
“So now the expectations from people are maybe a bit higher, but I keep doing what I do.”
Moving on after a difficult debut race
After a strong debut performance in Qualifying for the Australian GP, Hadjar fell victim to the wet conditions and crashed on the formation lap and wasn’t able to continue.
Asked whether the incident influenced his confidence, the Racing Bull Driver reckons that he did not dwell on the incident.
His first points, however, gave the 22-year-old a bit of a confidence boost.
“No, I wouldn’t say so.
“I think in China I was straight back in the pace.
“I completely forgot about what happened, so I know how to do that.
“Of course, now, being rewarded with points definitely gives a bit more confidence, that’s for sure.”
Championship standings
With eighth place and four points, Hadjar now sits 13th in the Drivers Championship, one place ahead of former Racing Bulls teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
The Frenchman points to the stat being circumstantial as Tsunoda wasn’t as fortunate in the opening rounds.
“Yeah, and if Yuki got quite unlucky in the first two rounds, to be honest, he should have quite a lot more points on the board.
“It’s not so fair.”
Goals for the season ahead
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Hadjar is eager to get the most out of his car, setting a goal of consistent Top 10 finishes.
“I think now, it’s quite what I said before the season, my target would be to keep […]
“If the car can finish in P9 or P8, I want to be there, maximise it, not being outside the top 10.
“If the car deserves the top 10, then I need to be on it.”
This season the midfield is quite close in performance. A small mistake can have a bit impact.
A close midfield fight
The tightness of the field and the ensuing fights for track position add “much more fun”, says Hadjar ahead of the Bahrain GP.
“Honestly, it’s adding so much more fun and adrenaline to it in qualifying especially.
“Even in the race, you’re in a straight fight against Alex, it just makes it so much more fun.”
Having just made the jump from F2 to F1, the Racing Bulls driver reckons that the field is much closer in F1.
“Yeah, I would say it’s even closer than F2.
“It’s really impressive how different teams can put up the same performance.”
Bahrain GP
With pre-season testing being conducted at Bahrain International Circuit it is a track the drivers know very well.
For Hadjar it will mark the first time this season where he has prior experience, though he reckons that conditions will be not be comparable to those encountered in testing.
“Yeah, it’s a track we all know really well, so I do feel confident.
“I think conditions are completely different from testing, so what we learn from testing is definitely going to be helpful, but still lots to learn in free practices.”
Being prepared for debut season
While track experience is certainly important, Hadjar has been preparing for his Racing Bulls debut for some time.
His time as a reserve driver and in the simulator has prepared him well, leaving adapting to the car as one of the main areas to focus on.
“I think my first running in F1 was in 2023 already, so I had the first taste.
“I’ve been in the sim since two years now, so of course my mileage was not excessive, that’s for sure.
“But I’ve been around the team as a reserve as well, so I feel like apart from adapting to the car itself, all the processes were all clear and not new to me going into the season.”
